አባል:Yirgashewa

Yirgashewa teshome is a filmmaker and founding Director of Ethiopian International Film Festival (EARTHOPIAN), which provides an annual showcase for films from around the world as well as resources for filmmakers seeking to network and develop their creative, technical, and business skills. Yirgashewa obtained his bachelor's degree in Economics and his master's degree in Regional & Local Development Studies from Addis Ababa University.  He also got his Certificate in Theatrical Art from Mahider Art Collage.

In regards to film, he has worked as a director and producer of short and feature-length projects, both fiction and documentary. As a filmmaker and head of the festival for the last two decades, he has developed vast experience in participating in a number of international film festivals as a guest and jury member as well as presenting his works in Africa, Europe and USA. Apart from presenting and analyzing the overall movement of Ethiopian film by attending various international forums organized in different countries of the world, he has also contributed various research works to the international community as a scholar engaged in the field.

The latest English book Publication “Economic Evaluation of Film Industry in Ethiopia” and “A Film History in Ethiopia; from Grand Palace to ETHIOFFEST”, which has been translated into seven international languages ​​and presented to the world market by Lap Publishers in Germany are some of the most important written works.  In addition, many of his research articles have been published in internationally acclaimed journals in Europe, America and Africa.